Computer wrist rest for notebook computers

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for relieving and preventing repetitive stress on a portion of a user&#39;s hand while using the keyboard and/or a mousing device on a notebook computer, the apparatus comprising: an elongated pad portion smaller in width than the bottom portion of the notebook computer; and a mousing opening cutout from the elongated pad portion adapted to surround the mousing portion of the notebook computer.

The present invention relates to wrist rests for use with notebook orlaptop style computers.

There are many different types of personal computers on the market,including desktop and laptop or notebook. As society becomes moremobile, notebook computers are a desirable computing solution.Lightweight notebook computers have the advantage of being lightweightand include peripherals (such as mousing devices, keyboard and screens)built into a single device. The placement of the integrated mouse pad isgenerally in a bottom portion below the keyboard in a laptop computer.While this is very convenient and compact, it may cause significanttrauma to the hand, requiring mousing at an awkward angle.

As the number of computer users has increased the number of repetitivestress disorders has also increased. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a commonproblem among computer users and may be characterized by a tingling,numbness, loss of gripping. Another problem is irritations, fromrepetitive contact with hard computer parts.

In a notebook computer, to correct the issue, the user may plug in asecond mouse and use a mouse pad. While this may address the problem, itis cumbersome and requires the computer user to have a second mouse andlarge mouse pad. Also, some users prefer the style and mousingmannerisms of the incorporated mouse. The present invention addressesthese issues by providing a wrist rest for use with the integratedmousing device of a notebook computer.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wrist rests for use with notebook orlaptop style computers.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus forrelieving and preventing repetitive stress on a portion of a user's handwhile using the keyboard and/or a mousing device on a notebook computer,the apparatus comprising: an elongated pad portion smaller in width thanthe bottom portion of the notebook computer; and a mousing openingcutout from the elongated pad portion adapted to surround the mousingportion of the notebook computer.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatusfor relieving and preventing repetitive stress on a portion of a user'shand while using the keyboard and/or a mousing device on a notebookcomputer is provided, the apparatus comprising: an elongated pad portionshaped for receipt along the bottom portion of said notebook computer; amousing opening cutout from said elongated pad portion adapted tosurround the mousing portion of said notebook computer, said mousingopening cutout having four sides and each of said four sides is taperedtowards said mousing portion of said notebook computer;

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts the present invention;

FIG. 6 depicts the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts the present invention;

FIG. 8 depicts the present invention; and

FIG. 9 depicts the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustratingthe general principles of the invention, since the scope of theinvention is best defined by the appended claims.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, an apparatus (10) for relieving andpreventing repetitive stress on a portion of a user's hand while using athe keyboard and/or mousing device on a notebook computer (12) isprovided, the apparatus (10) comprising: an elongated pad portion (14)smaller in width (18) than the bottom (20) portion of a notebookcomputer (12). That is to say the elongated pad portion (14) has a widthslightly smaller than the width of the bottom portion (20) of thenotebook computer. The term bottom portion (20) of the notebook computeris intended to refer to the area below the keyboard, where the mousingdevice (22) is incorporated. This may be important to note in the eventthe bottom portion is of a different width than the keyboard portion(which generally it is not). The apparatus (10) has a mousing opening(24) cutout from the elongated pad portion (14) adapted to surround themousing portion (22) of the notebook computer. The terms notebookcomputer, laptop computer and portable computer are interchangeable andwould be appreciated by those of skill in the art to refer to computerwith a keyboard, mouse and monitor in a single apparatus.

The elongated pad portion (14), according to a preferred embodiment isformed from solid polyurethane or solid polyurethane gel (PU GEL) and isat least the same height (30) as the profile of the keys of the keyboardwhen sitting on the bottom portion (20) of the notebook computer (12).The profile of the keys (36) is intended to refer to the height of thekeys (36) above the notebook computer casing (38). It is desirable tohave the users wrist wrest at a height above the keys. The apparatus mayalso be made from visco-elastic polyurethane foam or Memory foam. Memoryfoam is made from polyurethane with additional chemicals that add to itsviscosity level, increasing its density. Because of this, it is oftenreferred to as visco-elastic polyurethane foam. Depending on thechemicals used and its overall density, it is firmer in cooltemperatures and softer when warm. Higher density memory foam reacts tobody heat which allows it to mould itself to the shape of a warm bodywithin a few minutes. A lower density memory foam is pressure-sensitiveand will mould more quickly to the shape of the body. The example oftenused to demonstrate its properties is that a hand pressed into the foamand then removed will leave a clear impression of the hand in the foam.Textured solid polyurethane may be formed during molding or may betextured by the additional of a course material (e.g. sand) or even atexture creating spray. If formed during molding, indentations andraised portions would form the texture.

As depicted in FIG. 2, there may be a thermoplastic polyurethane film(34) in communication with the underside of the elongated pad portion(14) and having a same sized cutout (32) as the mousing opening cutout.That is to say the film (34) is the exact size as the underside of theelongated pad portion and serves to keep the apparatus (10) is placewhile mousing and typing. The film is unique as it adheres firmly tostandard notebook/laptop style computer cases yet peels off withoutleaving any residue. There may also be an attachment means incommunication with the underside of the elongated pad portion. Theattachment means may be, for example, Velcro® hook and loop fasteners.Or a mechanical attachment means, such a clips.

As shown in FIG. 4, the edges (40 and 42) may be rounded. According toanother preferred embodiment, the mousing opening cutout (24) issubstantially square having four sides and each side is tapered (60).The term tapered is intended to mean that the sides slope, as can be inFIG. 8. This is desirable for a number of reasons. It guides the fingerstowards the mousing device and creates soft corners for mousing.

As shown in FIG. 7, the elongated pad portion is curved (80) beingelevated towards the center (82) and the mousing opening cutout (24).This is desirable for elevating the hand during mousing and providing arest for the forearm of the user while using the keyboard.

There may also be an elevated mound (70) on at least one top side of theelongated pad portion (24). This is for the receipt of the user's palmduring mousing to keep the hand in a position less prone to repetitivestress.

It should be understood that the foregoing relates to preferredembodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. An apparatus for relieving soreness and preventing repetitive stresson a portion of a user's hand while using a notebook computer, saidapparatus comprising: an elongated pad portion smaller in width than thebottom portion of said notebook computer; and a mousing opening cutoutfrom said elongated pad portion adapted to surround the mousing portionof said notebook computer.
 2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein saidelongated pad portion is at least the same height as the profile of thekeys of said keyboard when sitting on said bottom portion of saidnotebook computer.
 3. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising athermoplastic polyurethane film in communication with the underside ofsaid elongated pad portion and having a same sized cutout as saidmousing opening cutout.
 4. An apparatus as in claim 1, furthercomprising an attachment means in communication with the underside ofsaid elongated pad portion.
 5. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein saidapparatus is formed from solid polyurethane, PU GEL, visco-elasticpolyurethane foam, nylon covered PU GEL or textured solid polyurethane.6. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said mousing opening cutout issubstantially square having four sides and each side is tapered.
 7. Anapparatus as in claim 1, wherein said elongated pad portion is curvedbeing elevated towards the center and said mousing opening cutout.
 8. Anapparatus as in claim 1, wherein at least one side of said elongated padportion tapers.
 9. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising anelevated mound on at least one top side of said elongated pad portion.10. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said elevated mound is ovalshaped for receiving the user's palm.
 11. An apparatus for relieving andpreventing repetitive stress on a portion of a user's hand while using anotebook computer, said apparatus comprising: an elongated pad portionshaped for receipt along the bottom portion of said notebook computer; amousing opening cutout from said elongated pad portion adapted tosurround the mousing portion of said notebook computer, said mousingopening cutout having four sides and each of said four sides is taperedtowards said mousing portion of said notebook computer;
 12. An apparatusas in claim 11, wherein said elongated pad portion abuts the bottom ofthe keyboard of said notebook computer.
 13. An apparatus as in claim 11,wherein said elongated pad portion is at least the same height as theprofile of the keys of said keyboard when sitting on said bottom portionof said notebook computer.
 14. An apparatus as in claim 11, furthercomprising a thermoplastic polyurethane film in communication with theunderside of said elongated pad portion and having a same sized cutoutas said mousing opening cutout.
 15. An apparatus as in claim 11, furthercomprising an attachment means in communication with the underside ofsaid elongated pad portion.
 16. An apparatus as in claim 11, whereinsaid apparatus is formed from solid polyurethane, PU GEL, visco-elasticpolyurethane foam, nylon covered PU GEL or textured solid polyurethane.17. An apparatus as in claim 11, wherein said elongated pad portion'sside is curved being elevated towards the center and said mousingopening cutout.
 18. An apparatus as in claim 11, wherein at least oneside of said elongated pad portion tapers.
 19. An apparatus as in claim11, further comprising an elevated mound on at least one top side ofsaid elongated pad portion.